Marine Corps News Room

http://www.c7f.navy.mil/ts07/News/27.htm

By Lt. Penny Cockerell, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs
posted: July 3, 2007

Exercise Talisman Saber 2007 combined troops from all branches of service in both countries. The exercise, which ran from June 10 to July 3, is also the first in Australia to link several training areas into the one scenario using “virtual” training via the Internet – an initiative known as the Joint/Combined Training Capability.

Talisman Saber was designed to give military forces from both countries the chance to train together and enhance their combined and joint war fighting skills to prepare for the next military or humanitarian crises.

“This exercise is about strengthening that relationship by building personal and professional relationships between our military members. This is an incredible opportunity, to work as a combined force, developing shared war-fighting proficiency needed to combat the global war on terror,” said 7th Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Doug Crowder, whose flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) pulled into Sydney prior to the field training segment.

During two weeks of field training, fictitious “red” and “blue” forces carried out scenarios on the shores of Shoalwater Bay and in the training grounds of Townsville and Rockhampton.

Support came from U.S. ships in the 7th Fleet battle group and Royal Australian Navy, with some 20 ships overall. At sea, the two countries exchanged personnel on ships and practiced ship-to-ship logistics, transport and refuelings at sea, also known as “force integration training.”

“I am most pleased with the deckplate and ground level bilateral training and relations that are taking place. I don’t really see us working as two forces, but one integrated force,” said Royal Australian Navy Commodore Peter G. Lockwood, the Combined Force Maritime Component Command of the exercise.

Air operations figured into the training, with some 30 Australian and U.S. aircraft, including F/A-18 Hornets, C-130H Hercules and B-707 fuel tankers.

Overall, 20,000 U.S. and 7,500 Australian troops put months of planning to the test, despite steady rains that created ankle-deep mud and hindered some flight operations. Still, the obstacles kept troops driven and provided built-in training that comes with the unexpected.

“It provided many challenges such as communications, lines of communication, moving troops from point A to point B and the various changes in the weather situation. It was very challenging for the blue forces and red forces to react to the various tactical situations,” said U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John M. Croley, commander of Marine Corps Forces South.

Shoalwater Bay served as the primary training ground for amphibious landings and force-on-force fighting. Precautions were taken to protect this natural resource, which is the size of Belgium. Shoalwater Bay’s varying terrain, amphibious operating area, and several airfields made it ideal for the exercise.

“This has been one of the finest training complexes that I’ve worked in,” Croley said.

Across the country in Canberra, home to Australia’s single service chiefs and chief of defence force, a joint team from the cryptologic technician network field fought cyber battle scenarios on computer screens – a first for any joint/combined military exercise.

“We worked through all types of intrusions, from simple viruses to stealthier root level compromises. If the team felt uncomfortable with the scenario, we would stop and rerun the intrusion until they were satisfied,” said Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Networks) (SW/AW) Noah Smith.

U.S. troops also took time to visit hospitals, senior centers and schools in local communities. Besides good will, the exercise provided millions of dollars to local economies for everything from food to equipment to fuel.
First held in 2005, Talisman Saber merges the previous exercises of Tandem Thrust and Crocodile into one biennial, joint, combined exercise between U.S. and Australian forces.